The [Alamo Heights] City Council is considering adopting a program to
humanely manage the city's feral cat population.

The plan would trap feral cats, vaccinate and sterilize them, notch
their ears for identification and return them to their habitat under
volunteer care, Police Chief Rick Pruitt said during a presentation
to the council. Kittens and tame cats would be adopted, he said.

Between 2005 and 2007, Alamo Heights trapped more than 60 cats, none
of which were claimed by owners, and one was adopted  by the police
chief. The city spent nearly $6,300 in that time to impound,
euthanize and dispose of the cats.

The new program would be more cost-effective and would lower breeding
rates, Pruitt said. The feral cats also would continue to help manage
rodent and snake populations.

Pruitt said he would work with City Attorney Mike Brenan to update
the city's animal ordinance and bring the changes to the council
during a future meeting.